COLLEGE NEWSLETTER - 21 March, 2025
LEADERSHIP
MESSAGE FROM THE PRINCIPAL
Megan Wuersching - College Principal
Dear Southern Cross Catholic College Community,
Our recent Open Days were a wonderful celebration of life at Southern Cross. I hope you had the chance to visit and explore everything our college offers. This year, with the introduction of registration and check-ins, we've gathered valuable information to guide our planning for 2026. Thank you to everyone who registered and attended the events.
Conversations with the Principal
We are excited to introduce a new initiative at Southern Cross Catholic College: Conversations with the Principal. This is an opportunity for parents and carers to meet with me on an informal basis to discuss important topics, share ideas and strengthen our school community.
Focused on conversation and community, we will come together to listen, discuss and renew efforts in shaping the future of our students. Your perspectives and feedback are invaluable and I am looking forward to our conversations.
Stay tuned for more details on the dates and times of the upcoming sessions in our What’s Ons. Hope to see you there!
ADMINISTRATION
Katrina Wootton - Deputy Principal - Primary
Primary Parent-Teacher Interviews
If you haven’t already booked a Parent Teacher Interview, please do so before the cut-off date. These will be held in the C & D block classrooms.
Thursday, 20 March, from 3:10 p.m. to 6:50 p.m.
and Tuesday, 25 March, from 3:10 p.m. to 5:00 p.m
Why Parent-Teacher Interviews Matter
Parent-teacher interviews are a valuable opportunity for parents to gain insight into their child’s academic progress, strengths, and areas for growth. These meetings provide a chance to discuss learning goals, address any concerns, and build a strong partnership between home and school. When parents are actively involved in their child’s education,
students are more likely to stay motivated, perform better, and develop a positive attitude toward learning. Attending these interviews shows children that their education is a priority and reinforces the importance of working together to support their success. We encourage all parents to take advantage of this opportunity to connect with teachers and play an active role in their child’s learning journey.
Cross Country Events
Wednesday, 2 April is our Primary Cross Country. Parents/carers are welcome to attend.
Harmony Day!
Harmony Day (21 March 2025) is part of Harmony Week, which celebrates Australia’s amazing cultural diversity. During this week, schools celebrate inclusiveness, respect and a sense of belonging for all Australians, from the traditional custodians of the land to those who have come from many countries around the world.
This week of inclusiveness is celebrated from Monday, 17 to Sunday, 23 March 2025, so there are plenty of opportunities to create and participate in activities all week long.
With the motto ‘Everyone belongs’, Harmony Week encourages us to appreciate our differences and similarities, promote inclusiveness, and show mutual respect for everyone, regardless of race, colour, religion, or background.
Let’s come together to celebrate Harmony Week 2025 and continue building a nation where everyone truly belongs.
Why we love Harmony Day
- It celebrates diversity
- You can celebrate your own way
- It unites cultures
Statistics show that diverse communities, companies and civilisations are happier, healthier and more prosperous. So, including everyone really does make the world a better place!
The history of Harmony Day
Harmony Day was first celebrated in Australia in 1999. People celebrate it by reflecting on the ways they can live in harmony with their neighbours. In 1998, the government commissioned a study into the nature of racism that highlighted a greater need for people to ‘live in harmony’. As a result, Harmony Day was created to encourage everyone to respect each other and appreciate the country’s vibrant multicultural background.
Have a great week everyone!
Katrina
Jaye Beutel - Deputy Principal - Secondary
Student Representative Council
Secondary Homerooms have been busy nominating and appointing their 2025 Student Representative Council (SRC) members over the past few weeks. The SRC provides students with an opportunity to be an active partner with the teachers in the decision making processes across a broad range of areas that impact school life. It is by having a voice in the decision-making process, which generates powerful motivation and commitment to a school community.
In my experience, students who embrace the challenge of collaborating with their peer SRC members, help build lifelong skills that will without doubt assist them for life.
Mrs Wootton and I are excited to be working alongside this year’s SRC in order to help utilise their energy and enthusiasm towards building a strong voice for students at Southern Cross, and to achieve agreed goals and objectives - soon to be set out when we meet for the first time.
Congratulations to our newly appointed Student Representative Council members for 2025.
Uniform Expectations
As a new member of our wonderful college community, one of the first aspects of school life that impressed me was that of the pride all students take with wearing their uniform - truly living out “The Southern Cross Way”. That being said, there are times when confusion or shifts in expectations regarding how we wear our uniform, or the acceptable appearance in terms of earrings, hair and jewellery take place.
Therefore, as shared in an earlier newsletter this term, I explained that homerooms would be using the Uniform Audit process on Monday and Friday during the homeroom periods. This allows for students, pastoral leaders and homeroom teachers to discuss specific areas and clarify expectations. This process then allows us as a college to reflect on where there are areas we could review what have been our expectations and adapt to new approaches into the future. This is a critical part of setting and maintaining high expectations, which is something Southern Cross has a well respected reputation.
To that end, we have made some changes to how we inform parents and carers as to when their child has not met the uniform expectations. This has traditionally been communicated through the student diary, however, this year we have moved this to a compass chronicle labelled “Level 0 - Uniform Concern”. This is not a detention or withdrawal notice, but an opportunity for a conversation and understanding of what expectation has not been met and how to address it. Since the introduction of the uniform concern students have been very responsive to this approach and repeat uniform concerns have been avoided. This is a positive outcome, one I am confident all parties would be pleased about.
There has been some confusion, which we are working to resolve, by when students have a note or email explaining a uniform expectation breach. Teachers and pastoral leaders have been asked to record this as a uniform concern as a means to track repeat incidents. Upon reflection, this has caused frustration and confusion. Which I apologise for and will look to address moving forward. However, to assure parents, carers and students that having an explained uniform concern will not result in a detention style intervention.
To conclude Term 1, our Uniform Audits will include the following focus on hair expectations. I would encourage parents and students to re-familiarise themselves with these expectations by visiting the college website: SCCC Uniform Expectations
Hayley Fulmer - Assistant Principal Pedagogy & Learning - Primary
NAPLAN 2025 - A Smooth and Successful Testing Period
Over the past week, our students have undertaken their scheduled NAPLAN assessments. On Wednesday, 12 March, students completed the Writing test, followed by Reading on Thursday, 13 March, and Conventions of Language on Friday, 14 March. The Numeracy test took place on Monday, 17 March. Catch-up sessions will continue within the NAPLAN testing window, which concludes on Monday, 24 March.
A heartfelt thank you to all students for the way they conducted themselves during this period. Their effort, resilience, and positive approach to the assessments were commendable. We also extend our gratitude to parents and caregivers for their ongoing support, as well as our dedicated staff for their hard work in ensuring a smooth testing process.
A special thank you goes to our College Leadership Team and our wonderful Year 10 volunteers, who generously gave their time each morning to prepare and deliver fruit for students before their tests. Your contribution played a valuable role in supporting a positive testing environment.
Additionally, we would like to remind families that Primary Parent-Teacher Interviews will be held this Thursday and next Tuesday. These meetings are a great opportunity to discuss student progress, celebrate achievements, and collaborate on strategies to support ongoing learning. We encourage all parents to take advantage of these valuable conversations.
Thank you again to everyone who played a part in making this NAPLAN period a success.
FROM THE CHAPLAIN
Dot Parnell - College Chaplain
Hello, Everyone, and welcome to Week 8 of Term 1.
Now that we’ve settled into the season of Lent, how are our efforts going to unite against poverty?
“We are told to let our light shine, and if it does we won’t need to tell anybody it does. Lighthouses don’t fire cannons to call attention to their shining - they just shine.”
Dwight L. Moody
Each week we show a video to all the students from Caritas Australia about those communities in Australia and across the world that are assisted and supported by Caritas.
It’s amazing how poor these people really are, but it’s even more amazing how fortunate these people feel to be supported by Caritas. Our contributions to Project Compassion have and can do wonders in the remote communities of Samoa, Vietnam and the Democratic Republic of the Congo and give hope to those whose living conditions are so much poorer than ours.
Are we generous enough in supporting those less fortunate than we are?
Our Southern Cross community is well-known for its kindness and generosity. This is how we LOVE, SERVE and SHINE.
Let’s meet our challenges over the coming weeks towards Easter in the spirit of compassion, patience, and an unfailing effort always to seek the truth. In this way we will be growing in the spirit of Lent and in our College motto - To Love, To Serve, To Shine.
God’s blessings for a great week, and remember - “In a world where you can be anything - BE KIND.”
Dot
SOCIAL EMOTIONAL WELLBEING UPDATES
SPECIAL REPORT: Social Media & Comparison Culture
Young people today are growing up in a world where exposure to other people's lives is constant. Through social media and other platforms, they are regularly presented with curated highlights - from flawless holiday photos and academic milestones to the latest fashion trends and fitness achievements. This continuous stream of idealised content fuels what is known as comparison culture, where self-worth is often measured by how someone stacks up against others.
For children and adolescents, who are still figuring out who they are, this culture can be particularly damaging. Constantly comparing their appearance, achievements, or social standing to friends, influencers, and even strangers can lead to unrealistic expectations and a skewed sense of self-worth. This relentless need to measure up can contribute to feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt, and anxiety - undermining both confidence and emotional wellbeing.
It's vital that parents and caregivers understand how deeply comparison culture can influence a child's self-perception and sense of value. Left unchecked, it can foster perfectionism and a dependence on external validation, where a 'like' or comment becomes the measure of their worth.
The good news is, families have a powerful role to play in helping young people navigate these challenges. This Special Report will help you empower your child to build the resilience and confidence needed to navigate today's comparison-driven world and embrace their own unique path.
Here is the link to your Special Report https://sctsv.catholic.
PARENTS & FRIENDS ASSOCIATION
Parents and carers with children enrolled at Southern Cross Catholic College automatically become members of the Parents and Friends Association and you are most welcome to attend our scheduled monthly meetings.
NEXT MEETING is MONDAY 12 May at 6:00pm
Primary Staffroom
Head to the College website to check out last meeting's minutes.
Meeting Minutes - February 2025
The Parents and Friends Association works closely with the College Leadership Team and the Southern Cross Catholic College Community to promote the interests of the College and to further develop school functions and fundraising events to the benefit of the students and their families.
The Pre-Loved Uniform Shop and our dedicated team of wonderful volunteers will be stationed under the Primary Shed every 2nd and 4th Friday of the month during the school term, from 8:00 am to 8:45 am.
Friday 28 March - "Monster Sale"
Friday 9 May
Friday 23 May
👉 Calling All Parents, Carers, and Grandparents! 👈
We warmly invite new members to join our team and support our cause. Jenny, Cathy and Lauren, our fantastic volunteers, are eager to welcome you. If you’re interested in lending a hand, please reach out to the ladies via email at c39pandf@sctsv.catholic.edu.au.
FIRST NATIONS EDUCATION
Like always, there is much to report on in the First Nations section.
Primary
Chasing Wool
At Yarn Club we have been creating baby beanies which we look forward to giving out when someone in our school is blessed with a sibling. For this, we are chasing wool people may have at home or would be happy to donate. All donations to please be sent in to your child’s classroom teacher.
Yarn Club
It’s great to see our Yarn crew and friends at Yarn Club each week. Over the past few weeks we have got our craft and games on. This week we look forward to making some rivermint ice-cream to try and cool down from the stinking hot weather!
A reminder that Yarn Club is for Yarn crew and friends on:
- Monday at First Break in the OSHC Centre (Prep -Year 3)
- Wednesday at First Break in the OSHC Centre (Year 4-6)
Significant Dates
This week we see the Anniversary of the Close the Gap Statement of Intent on Indigenous Health Equality signing (2008). Closing the Gap is underpinned by the belief that when Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people have a genuine say in the design and delivery of policies, programs and services that affect them, better life outcomes are achieved. It also recognises that structural change in the way governments work with Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people is needed to close the gap. The gap focuses on 19 targets which impact the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Please read more about this here.
Harmony Day is being celebrated next Friday 21 March with the theme, Everyone Belongs and celebrates the cultural diversity we have in Australia. One of these days I’m going to get my act into gear and ask all families to put forward a recipe which is important to their family and make a Harmony Day cookbook. Until then, please see the resource, A Taste of Harmony which puts together some truly scrumptious recipes, showcasing the richness of different cultures when cooking.
That’s all from me - until Week 10!
Mrs Ponti 🙂
Secondary
The reignition of the Emerging Leaders Program has been in full swing this term with mentor evenings and parent information nights.
The PIN (Parent Information Night) that we held on Thursday 6 March was a great success. We had many families come to register their student/s in the program and learn more about the new changes
In the coming weeks, our Emerging Leaders will bring home their Personal Leadership Agreement.
Please check with your student/s regularly about whether or not they have received it yet. Once it is home, it is important that these be signed and returned to Mrs Kinman as soon as possible. If it is not returned signed then your student/s will not be registered into the program.
Students will have gone to the library on Friday 14 rather than going to their year level assembly. Here they will have filled out their PLA with their mentor. Please see the flow chart below that the students will receive.
Important Dates
20 March – National Close the Gap Day
National Close the Gap Day, observed on the third Thursday in March, raises awareness and seeks to close the gap with respect to life expectancy, child mortality, educational and employment outcomes between Aboriginal peoples and Torres Strait Islander peoples, and non-Indigenous Australians.
Finally, A shout out to Joshua in Year 9 and Lillie in Year 8. Josh and Lillie both played at the 2025 Oztag Junior State Cup on the Sunshine Coast.
Lillie was awarded the Coaches Award at these State titles where she played up a age group in the under 14s. They should both be so proud.
I will be away on prac week 8, 9 and 10 and will not be checking my emails. If you have any urgent matters, please contact your child’s pastoral leader in my absence. If you have any questions about the PLA, please send me an email and I will address your concern when I return.
Thank you for a wonderful start to the year, I look forward to next term and all that it brings, have a safe and happy break.
Mrs Z
DEFENCE NEWS
International Women’s Day Morning Tea
Year 11 Students attended the International Women's Day Morning Tea hosted at the Townsville ADF Careers Center. It was a great opportunity for the students to hear first hand experience from all the female representatives from each ADF service.
ANZAC Trivia Night - Thursday 3 April
If you would like to join in the fun, register your family! There are only 30 tables.
Register via https://forms.gle/MiGUNqrYQYH3fvzw5
Have a great week
Ms Kira
Defence School Mentor
THE ARTS
🎵 Rehearsal Schedule Week 9 & 10
🎵 State Honours Ensemble Program - North Queensland
Congratulations to Georgia B, Maddie O, Nina O, Ivy S and Georgia T for their outstanding participation in SHEP North QUeensland 2025! Representing Southern Cross with dedication and excellence, these students showcased their musical talents and commitment throughout the program.
The Grand Finale Concert was a breathtaking celebration of their hard work, and we couldn’t be prouder of their achievements, attitude, and enthusiasm. We look forward to them sharing their newfound skills and experiences with their peers in ensemble rehearsals. Well done!
🎵 Twilight Recital Series
In Week 10, our talented Music Academy students will take the stage for the first of our Twilight Recitals - a special series of concerts designed to celebrate their dedication and musical growth. These performances, held throughout the semester, provide a relaxed and intimate setting where students from all areas of our Music Academy can shine.
SPORTS NEWS
PRIMARY SPORTS NEWS
Townsville School Sports Trials
In Term 1 and early in term 2 there will be Townsville trials for the following sports listed in the table above.
Students interested in trialling for a particular sport need to be regularly playing the sport to trial and their ability must be of a very high standard. If your child is 11 or 12 and interested in trialling, please email Mrs Holmes for consideration (mholmes10@sctsv.catholic.edu.au)
Please send through current information, such as the highest club level represented, position and alternative position. Please note, we can only send a limited number of students to these trials therefore, unfortunately not all candidates will be selected and each sport will be decided on an individual basis based on the number of nominations that are received.
Sporting News
Inter-School Swimming Carnival Information
The A Schools Inter-School Swimming Carnival will occur at the Long Tan Pool Heatley, on Friday 28 March from 9.15am - 11.45am.
Please note: All students are permitted to swim 50m Freestyle. There are no 25m events at the A schools swimming carnival.
If your child was chosen in the Southern Cross Swim Team, all notes have been sent home.
If you have any questions or concerns please don’t hesitate to contact me mholmoes10@sctsv.catholic.edu.au
AFL QSchools Cup Results
On Monday 3 March, 16 of our amazing athletes attended the AFL QSchools Cup for a fun filled day of competition and skills. One Boys team participated in the carnival this year and all these students put in 100% effort and showed outstanding sportsmanship and dedication to their fellow teammates.
The team faced some tough competition throughout the day and their persistence and determination paid off. Each game this group of student’s improved, whilst learning new skills and game play to carry into the next.
While there was no official winner this year, the day was filled with opportunities for our students to put their hard work and skills from training into action.
We couldn’t be more proud of everyone’s effort and sportsmanship throughout the day.
A big shout out and thank you to Mr Hildebrandt for leading the team on the carnival day and for Mrs Pontii for all her help and assistance.
Congratulations to everyone involved.
Rugby Union Gala Day
A big congratulations to our primary Rugby Union teams who participated in the Gala Day on Friday 7 March. This group of students put in an outstanding effort showing great skill, sportsmanship and pride. They should be congratulated on their efforts.
A big thank you to Mr Scott for leading the team on the carnival day.
Carnival Results
SC V Holy Spirit = 20-5
SC V Belgian Gardens = 15-15
SC V Kirwan = 15-5
SC-Hermit Park = 10=10
Karyn Murphy Rugby League Gala Day
On Friday 7 March, 16 of our year 5/6 girls attended the Karyn Murphy Rugby League Gala Day. Our girls played 5 games throughout the day displaying their athleticism and amazing sportsmanship. Our girls continued to show improvement in both skill and teamwork throughout the day.
Although there were no official winners for the day, our girls finished with 2 wins, 2 draws and a loss. They should be very proud of their efforts.
A huge thank you to Rob Althofer who gave up his time on Fridays to help coach the girls both at lunch time as well as on the day of the carnival.
Cross Country 2025 - Wednesday 2nd April
Students will need their:
- School Hat or a comfortable running hat
- Water Bottle
- Are allowed to wear their house coloured shirts, SC sports shorts, SC Bummers or comfortable black running shorts. (Must change back into SC sports shorts after the event).
- If you have any questions please contact Mrs Holmes mholmes10@sctsv.catholic.edu.au
Parkrun every Saturday morning at Riverway or North Shore, it’s free! Just register online at https://www.parkrun.com.au/register/ and add SCCC as your running club.
LOST PROPERTY
A reminder to keep checking our lost property baskets as they fill up quite regularly.
Our baskets are located outside of our Primary and Secondary Administration.
Unclaimed items will be donated to the Pre-loved Uniform Shop or St Vincent De Paul.
THE SCHOOL LOCKER
The School Locker Uniform Shop is opened on the following days each week.
Tuesday 8.00am – 10.00am
Wednesday 2.00pm – 4.00pm
Friday 8.00am – 10.00am
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